OPINION: Most people like to think that they have the potential to act heroically; or at least that they will not freeze completely in times of great adversity.

OPINION: Two curiously contrasting cases involving protesters have been headlined in recent days.

By NANDOR TANCZOS

OPINION: Money changers were a convenience for worshippers. None of that prevented Jesus from overturning their tables, driving them out with whips and cursing them for turning the Father's house into a den of thieves.

OPINION: Top sport is business. That fact will have hit home to many with the news this week that one of the two men responsible for bringing the V8 Supercar racing to Hamilton is having to sell his home to help keep the event afloat.

OPINION: Most of us will have fond memories of our school days. While we might have detested a lot of it at the time, there's nothing like slogging away in the workforce to make you realise just how good you had it.

OPINION: If ever there was an example of the attraction of our greatest natural asset, it came recently in the form of the busy day had by a small boat.

OPINION: With just over six months to go until this year's local body elections, no serious contender has emerged to challenge Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock.

OPINION: As a litmus test of public interest by numbers, last Monday night's public meeting to discuss Waikato's own celebration day was underwhelming.

OPINION: The Government is making great play of cutting its spending by restructuring bits of the state sector.

OPINION: The return of students to Waikato University and Wintec always brings with it a bevy of promotions and stunts from bars determined to attract their share of the student dollar.

OPINION: When it comes to pointless facilities, the jokes revolve around the proverbial pub with no beer.

OPINION: Kiwi rugby league star Benji Marshall at the weekend gave an interesting insight to sports super stardom in a new weekly column he is writing for a Waikato Times sister paper, Sunday News.

OPINION: Lofty goals are always laudable, but sometimes they can be too unrealistic. Prime Minister John Key has spoken much about wanting to "close the gap" with Australia by 2025 but it appears less and less achievable.

OPINION: The Maori King is facing his most challenging time since his coronation after the death of his mother in 2006. King Tuheitia Paki succeeded the revered Dame Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu and the man with a liking for nice cars has hit the first significant speed bump in his reign.

OPINION: Depending on the question asked by the pollsters, opinion surveys variously have shown that most New Zealanders would welcome tax cuts, or oppose any rundown of government services.

OPINION: You matter because of who you are. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.

OPINION: There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.

OPINION: If only more people would listen to the sage words of advice offered up through this daily editorial column. Imagine the fantastic place the Waikato would be ...

OPINION: There's nothing like a tsunami warning to get people to the beach.

OPINION: Phil Heatley's shock decision to resign his housing and fisheries portfolios, ostensibly over two bottles of wine, appeared to be such a knee-jerk reaction that even Labour's deputy leader Annette King thought it strange.